Movies

There’s been a lot of news recently in mail-home and online streaming space, which are two places college students enjoy. The ease of getting movies mailed to you to watch when you’re bored, or the ability to go online and stream your favorite movie or that TV show you missed last week. But Blockbuster, Netflix, and Hulu have made announcements to diversify not only what you get, but how you get it. Read through to see what’s new.

Blockbuster Adds Games To “By Mail” Plans

While the company that used to be a behemoth in the rental industry flirts with bankruptcy and tries to compete with Netflix, it is trying to differentiate itself. Blockbuster By Mail, their DVD rentals at home program, announced today that games would also be included. So users can rent movies, games, and TV series at their home via the mailbox. $9 a month will get you 1 DVD or vide game at a time, with plans going up to $17 a month for 3 DVD’s or games at a time. The Total Access plans are only worthwhile if there is a Blockbuster in the area (the nearest stores are in Belpre and Parkersburg).

If you’ve been tempted by this deal, consider the major points between Blockbuster and Netflix. Sure, you get to rent games with Blockbuster. But at the same price point ($9) you could stream movies to your computer, XBOX 360, Wii, Playstation, and eventually, mobile phones. Online streaming is separate with Blockbuster, and costs vary from rental to outright purchase (but offers streaming to computers, mobile phones, and TV’s). So the question is, which do you value more? Online movie streaming, or Video Game Rentals?

Netflix Gets More Online Movies

Speaking about the whole online streaming universe, Netflix announced today that it’s increasing their streaming library in a huge way. New movies from Paramount, MGM, and Lionsgate will be able to be streamed online 90 days after their DVD release, starting September 1st.

This also means that their back catalogues will also be available, starting that same day. According to the press release, this could mean nearly 3,000 new movies available for streaming via Netflix. Like I mentioned earlier, $9 will get you one DVD at a time, and unlimited movie and tv streaming.

Hulu Plus Coming

Most students don’t have TiVo’s or DVR’s on campus, and with busy lives away from the TV, yet great shows on every day, it’s hard to keep up. Hulu fixes that problem, for the most part, but if you were looking for more, it’s here.

Hulu Plus gives you access to previous seasons of shows, and unlocks a back catalogue of many other shows not available to the typical Hulu user. It also allows you to stream Hulu Plus content to your TV, Playstation 3, iPhone, and iPad (supposedly more devices are coming soon, including the XBOX 360). Costs $10 a month, but is currently in a limited preview, so you have to apply for the privilege to use the service at the moment.

Even with the monthly payment, you’ll still be forced to watch ads during the shows. And don’t worry, free Hulu will still be around.

Mike Eisenberg, former Marietta College Broadcasting Major (now a graduate, was a member of the ‘Etta Express during their championship run, and former member of the Cleveland Indians minor league system) has posted his review of Public Enemies, a movie on the life of notorious criminal John Dillinger. Â Head over to his site to check out his review of that and many other movies.

For those of you with an XBOX 360, you may still be getting used to the New XBOX Experience.Â Take it or leave it, its here to stay.

However, the coolest thing about it (or at least from a college student’s perspective) is that you can now stream Netflix movies to your 360.Â You can sign up for a two week free trial if you don’t already have a Netflix account, or sign in with your Netflix info and begin streaming.

If you’re not already a subscriber, it looks like a steal at about $9 a month for unlimited movie streaming (12,000 titles available) AND the ability to have 1 DVD at a time (many more times the selection).

Nine trips to the RedBox machine or unlimited movie rentals from the comfort of your couch?Â Seems like a good deal for a college student.

One of the most anticipated movies of the week, Twilight, drops tonight across the nation.Â And even with all the hype surrounding its release, you, yes, that’s right, you, can see Twilight at Midnight tonight in the Marietta area.

If you count Parkersburg as close enough, that is.

The Regal Cinemas at the Grand Central Mall still have tickets available for a 12:01 AM showing of the movie, with many tickets still available at many other times throughout the day and the weekend, according to Fandango.com.Â If you want to see it at the local cineplex, the first showing at the Lafayette Center Cinema at 4:10 PM.

Just remember that the student discount vouchers you can pick up in Andrews are more than likely not eligible for Twilight, so be prepared to pay full price when you go.

Personally, I will be enjoying Charles Sumner Harrison Organization’s annual fashion show.Â Tickets still available for $2, last I heard.Â It benefits the Marietta Humane Society, so where can you go wrong with that?

Not much of a release week for the music and movie industry, while you have plenty of options in the video game market.

Look for High School Musical 3: Senior Year, which is out on CD today.Â It’s the soundtrack for the follow-up to High School Musical 2, and will probably rocket up the charts due to its popularity.

Incredible Hulk comes out on DVD today, alongside some horror films ripe for the Halloween season.Â If The Strangers or the straight-to-DVD Anaconda 3: Offspring sound like a spooky time, they are now available for purchase.

Fable 2 for the XBOX 360 promises to give fans of the series plenty to do and see now that it’s out.Â Look for Far Cry 2 (PC, XBOX 360, Playstation 3) and the Rockband 2 Bundle (XBOX 360, Playstation 3) to come out as well this week and make a lot of people happy.